Balloon catheter visualization device including reinforcement features

Abstract

A balloon catheter visualization device includes a handle, an elongate shaft, and an asymmetrical balloon. The elongate shaft includes a distal end, a proximal end, and defines a lumen and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The proximal end is coupled to the handle. The asymmetrical-shaped balloon including a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion is coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The proximal portion has one or more reinforcement features including a layer of material coupled to the asymmetrical-shaped balloon and forming an outer contour at the proximal portion of the asymmetrical-shaped balloon that is asymmetrical to an outer contour of the distal portion of the asymmetrical-shaped balloon.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A balloon catheter visualization device comprising:
 a handle;   an elongate shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end coupled to the handle, the elongate shaft defining a lumen and a longitudinal axis that extend from the proximal end to the distal end; and   an asymmetrical-shaped balloon comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal end coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft, the proximal portion including one or more reinforcement features comprising a layer of material coupled to the balloon and forming an outer contour at the proximal portion of the balloon that is asymmetrical to an outer contour of the distal portion of the balloon.   
     
     
         2 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 1 , wherein the asymmetrical-shaped balloon comprises multiple reinforcement features that form a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of ribs are located circumferentially equidistant from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more reinforcement features comprises at least one diametrically expandable rib. 
     
     
         5 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one diametrically expandable rib defines a lumen sized to receive an inflation media for diametrically expanding the rib. 
     
     
         6 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one diametrically expandable rib is configured to be inflated independently of the asymmetrical-shaped balloon. 
     
     
         7 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 1 , wherein the balloon catheter visualization device includes up to six or more reinforcement features. 
     
     
         8 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 1 , wherein the balloon catheter visualization device includes one reinforcement feature comprising the layer of material uniformly disposed over the proximal portion of the asymmetrical-shaped balloon. 
     
     
         9 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion has an average wall thickness that is greater than an average wall thickness of the distal portion. 
     
     
         10 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness ratio of a balloon wall coupled to the reinforcement feature in comparison to the balloon wall alone is about 1:1, about 2:1, about 3:1, about 4:1, about 5:1, or greater than 5:1. 
     
     
         11 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more reinforcement features are configured to prevent material folding at the proximal portion of the asymmetrical-shaped balloon, when the distal portion of the asymmetrical-shaped balloon is subjected to compressional force. 
     
     
         12 . A balloon catheter visualization device comprising:
 a handle;   an elongate shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end coupled to the handle, the elongate shaft defining a lumen and a longitudinal axis that extend from the proximal end to the distal end;   a balloon comprising a proximal end coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and a distal portion, the balloon including a wall that defines an inner inflation cavity; and   a reinforcement feature disposed within the inner inflation cavity, the reinforcement feature comprising a plurality of flexible struts, each of the struts being connected to at least two adjacent struts, the reinforcement feature configured to include a collapsed configuration for providing a small profile suitable for delivery and an expanded configuration for providing structural support to the balloon.   
     
     
         13 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement feature in the expanded configuration forms a frame having a flared cone shape. 
     
     
         14 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement feature is a separate component configured to be inserted into the balloon and expanded therein. 
     
     
         15 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement feature is coupled at one or more locations of the balloon. 
     
     
         16 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement feature is coupled to a polymeric covering. 
     
     
         17 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement feature includes a plurality of interconnected struts, each individual strut forming a petal-like shape when the reinforcement feature is in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement feature comprises nitinol. 
     
     
         19 . The balloon catheter visualization device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of flexible struts are interconnected such that the struts collapse and expand together. 
     
     
         20 . A balloon catheter visualization device comprising:
 a handle;   an elongate shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end coupled to the handle, the elongate shaft defining a lumen and a longitudinal axis that extend from the proximal end to the distal end; and   a balloon comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the balloon being coupled to the elongate shaft and comprising a means for reinforcing the balloon to prevent balloon material folding at the proximal end of the balloon when force is applied to the distal end of the balloon.